Gaylord leaders: Progress made, but more needs to be done in storm rebuilding
GAYLORD — It has been one month since the May 20 tornado devastated parts of Gaylord. While much of the debris has been cleared and rebuilding has started on a number of structures, some victims of the storm are still struggling with rebuilding their lives.
The community has responded as the Otsego Community Foundation and the local United Way have worked to raise funds and provide services and programs to help tornado victims. Neighbors and community groups have reached out to each other and strangers, working tirelessly to get the rebuilding off on a strong foundation.
The Herald Times asked community leaders to share their thoughts on where Gaylord is at 30 days after the storm.
Dana Bensinger, executive director of the Otsego Community Foundation
"The immediate response was very moving as an overwhelming number of neighbors as well as people from all over the state joined together in clean up, donating supplies as well as providing food and other necessities. In addition, the financial generosity has been encouraging.
The Otsego Community Foundation created the Tornado Response Fund within hours of the disaster to be a simple way for people to give, create resources for nonprofits doing disaster response as well as a seed for long-term solutions.
About $390,000 in grants has already been committed from the Tornado Response Fund to assist with both immediate and short-term recovery efforts. Organizations receiving grants include the Otsego County United Way for basic needs, The Refuge for shelter and Otsego-Antrim Habitat for Humanity for repairing homes.
We can’t say enough about the work of the Otsego County United Way who has led by providing direct services as well as mobilizing volunteers. The Refuge, staffed by one person, has connected 30 families with shelter (the majority in hotels as well as three in apartments).
As we move to the short-term recovery phase and look to long-term rebuilding it is evident that this is a marathon and not a sprint. The housing shortage prior to the tornado has been exacerbated. We have heard some negative comments about using charitable dollars to pay full price at hotels, yet there is no other place to put people. The current inventory is practically non-existent and when something becomes open there are additional barriers. We’ve found places in Elmira or Johannesburg, but with unreliable transportation and the price of gas, it isn’t realistic.
A group made up of local nonprofits and businesses has come together to focus on housing solutions both temporary and permanent. For each solution there seems to be 17 barriers. We are working through each scenario but it takes times, knowledge and resources."
Pastor Scott Distler of the E-Free Church
"When a community cares, amazing things happen organically. Obviously, no one ever talked much about what would happen if our community suffered a devastating tornado because that seemed to be something we did not have to really worry about. But when it did happen, the genuine care that was already present in our community took over. After the storm hit and we realized there was extensive damage, we simply opened up our building here at E-Free Church. Before long the Red Cross was here setting up a shelter. Then the United Way came and took responsibility for spearheading all of the donations and getting the supplies out to people.
More: Northern Michigan businesses assist in Gaylord recovery efforts
After the tornado, it did not matter what political party you were part of or if you had been vaccinated or not. It did not matter what part of town you lived in or what your economic standing was. It simply mattered that you were part of the Gaylord community and that was enough to make you family. And that same mindset and attitude continues with the many fundraisers and events that are being done to provide assistance to those who lost everything in the storm. That is what makes Gaylord a special place to live.
We want to honor those who lost their lives in the tornado that day. E-Free Church will be having a Patriotic Celebration from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. on July 3 at the Gaylord High School football field. As part of this service we will be taking time to remember those who lost their lives in the storm and to pray for those who are still facing adversity because of the damage that took place."
Paul Gunderson, executive director of the Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce
"I am so impressed with the way our community has come together and to help each other through this terrible ordeal. I met with some state officials on (June 14) and they echoed that same opinion. Our city and county officials did an outstanding job stabilizing our community and cleaning up the debris. I applaud them for their continued work and it’s good to know they are on the job.
We have a long way to go. The damage done cannot be fixed in a month. It’s going to take time for our community to come back the way it was before the tornado. The one thing in our favor though is we are #Gaylordstrong. We never give up and we all work together."
Erin Mann, executive director of the Otsego County United Way
"We are moving beyond the short term 'stop the bleed' services. We are transitioning to more long-term solutions, getting people set up with their new places, talking about sustainable goals for the future. All agencies are working closely together. However, this is a moving target — things change moment to moment.
Some people are still having water and gas issues at Nottingham Forest. It is going to take months for people to rebuild. Housing capacity is a problem. People's relocation plans change as needs shift and pivot. On top of that the price of gas, food, and supplies is astronomical. What an awful time to be facing this calamity.
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The recovery from the tornado will definitely be a marathon and not a sprint. What has been the most astonishing thing is the compassion and love we have received from all over the world. My heart, and my mind have been filled with so much sorrow, hope, pride, and donations over the past few weeks. The Otsego County United Way has processed record breaking amounts of kindness in terms of tangible, monetary, and volunteer offerings. This community, state and country has done an incredible job jumping into action to care for our neighbors. At the height of COVID-19, the saddest part was that we couldn’t mourn together. Connecting with tornado victims to grieve and process the tragedy in person has truly been bittersweet."
The Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh, Bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord
"In the one month that has passed since the tornado hit Gaylord, I have been inspired by the strong sense of community support for our city. So many people asked, 'What can I do to help?' While helping with the clean-up efforts one day, a woman drove up to our group and handed out homemade cookies — goodwill gestures both large and small abound in the aftermath of natural disasters. If there is a silver lining to the May 20 tornado, it is the way neighbor helps neighbor.
The most significant way the Diocese of Gaylord was able to help was to secure funds to aid relief efforts. In addition to what individual and groups (like St. Mary Cathedral School) accomplished, our 75 parishes took up a special collection one week after the tornado, and I was honored to present a check for $150,000 to the Otsego Community Foundation on behalf of our Catholic church here in Northern Michigan. We are confident these funds will provide direct short-term and long-term assistance to those most affected.
We promise our ongoing prayerful support and ask God to comfort those who experienced loss. In the mystery of God's Providence, we trust the power from on high will keep us Gaylord Strong."
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Gaylord leaders: Progress made, but more needs to be done in storm rebuilding
